Suspect arrested in 2007 child sexual assault

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Police arrested a man on Monday who is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2007.

Gregory Romeo Somavia, 53, is facing charges of sexual conduct with a minor and sexual abuse.

According to court documents, Somavia assaulted the victim multiple times from Sept. 2007 to Dec. 2007.

The victim told police that Somavia told her that Child Protective Services would take her from her home if she told anybody what he was doing to her.

Police began their investigation after the alleged victim, now 20 years old, told her boyfriend. The boyfriend told the victim's family members. When they confronted Somavia he admitted to touching the girl when she was 14, according to police records.

The victim also showed police text messages from Somavia that corroborated the accusations.

Police said that at the time of his arrest Somavia had retained an attorney and he declined to speak with detectives.